Boom of the Kassel armaments industry: Ukraine-Radhaubitzen causes a sensation!

Kassel profitiert vom Boom der Rüstungsindustrie, insbesondere der innovativen Radhaubitze RCH 155 für die Ukraine.
Kassel benefits from the boom in the armaments industry, especially the innovative wheel shadows RCH 155 for Ukraine. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

Boom of the Kassel armaments industry: Ukraine-Radhaubitzen causes a sensation!

The armaments industry in Kassel, especially the company KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), experiences a boom that is largely due to the continuing conflicts in Ukraine. This region is increasingly crucial for the military efforts in Ukraine during the third winter of the war. The newly developed RCH 155, which is considered "unique in the world", plays a central role. The Federal Government has already ordered 36 of these systems as part of the Ukraine Hilf, the delivery of which is expected this year.

The RCH 155 wheel shaft, a self-driving gun, is mounted on a boxer wheel armor and allows it to fire during the movement-a function that is of central importance in modern warfare. However, the use of the Radhaubitzen in the Kursk region has not yet been carried out because they have not yet been delivered. The RCH 155 is characterized by high automation, and its design enables a “hunter killer” ability that enable and fire in parallel.

Technical data and possible uses

The RCH 155 is produced by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in Germany and has a weight of less than 39.0 tons. The specifications include:

  • length: 10.40 m
  • Width: 2.99 m
  • Height: 3.60 m
  • main armament: Rheinmetall Artillerieschütz
  • fire rate: up to 9 shots per minute
  • Effective range: up to 54 km

The system offers space for a crew of two people and has an option to the remote -controlled weapon station, which further increases the versatility in use. In addition, up to 30 combat -ready grenades can be carried, which ensures efficient and fast reaction.

growth perspectives and market needs

The KNDS works council report reports on a continuous personnel structure and a significant image change in the industry. The Kassel location plays a central role for the Bundeswehr, which is increasingly relating to the products from this region. In addition to the RCH 155, KNDS also produces well-known systems such as the Leopard tanks and the armored shape 2000.

However, the armaments industry in Germany is under pressure despite the increasing demand. In 2022, Germany first reached the NATO agreement of two percent of GDP for defense purposes. Nevertheless, the orders for armaments companies have been stagnated in recent years. The market share of Germany in the global armaments sector is only 1.6 %, exactly in an environment in which the USA dominates with 51 %.

The need for new technologies and systems such as the RCH 155 is not only perceived in Germany, but also internationally. In addition, countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Italy show interest in the system. The producers expect further growth and are specifically looking for specialists to meet the requirements of modern warfare.

Overall, the current development not only illustrates the importance of the Kassel armaments industry for national defense, but also its central role in the geopolitical landscape of Europe. The situation in Ukraine remains a central aspect for the future of armaments productions in Germany and beyond.

For more information on this topic, please read the reports from hna , wikipedia and Tagesschau .

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